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Origin and Development of Rat Thymus-Dependent (T) Lymphocytes¹

From the Department of Experimental Pathology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California 92037

Abstract

Bone marrow (BM) cells of LBNF₁ donor rats, from which detectable thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes were removed by anti-T lymphocyte antisera and C, were infused into lethally irradiated (IrBM) and into thymectomized lethally irradiated (TxIrBM) BN recipients. The lymphoid tissues of these animals were examined from 6 to 24 days after reconstitution for donor cells (AgB⁺), donor T cells (AgB⁺T⁺), and T cells (host and donor). Donor cells and donor T cells progressively increased in number in all lymphoid tissues of IrBM rats. In TxIrBM rats donor cells increased to a lesser extent and donor T cells decreased 24 days after reconstitution. Spleen and lymph node cells of IrBM and TxIrBM responded little or not at all to PHA and Con A, in vitro. The response was less than expected of the number of T cells present in culture. T lymphocytes can differentiate from bone marrow precursor elements and thymus seems to be a necessary organ for maintenance of T cell levels. The newly differentiated T cells differ from normal T cells in their response to mitogens.

Footnotes

¹ This is Publication 735 from the Department of Experimental Pathology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California. The work was supported by United States Public Health Service Grant AI-07007 and Atomic Energy Commission Contract AT(04-3)-779.

² Supported by National Institutes of Health Training Grant (GM01924-04). Present address: Department of Surgery, University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama 35233.